Watch: Ronde Barber Breaks Down Mike Evans’ Film

Last season, he had one of his better all-around seasons with 79 receptions for 1,255 yards (15.9 yards per reception average) with a “baker’s dozen” 13 touchdowns. The 1,255 yards he tallied was his highest total since 2018, while the 15.9 yards for every catch was his highest mark since 2019.

What allowed him to do so? That’s where Bucs’ great Ronde Barber chimed in.

“It’s a lot of things, obviously,” Barber said when starting to assess what makes Evans great. “He’s big, 6-foot-5, 230, he can big boy defensive backs. He’s faster than you think and he has great hands.”

Barber first analyzed the Bears game back in Week 2, specifically when Evans beat his assignment on a savvy route to pick up 70 yards and get the Bucs into the red zone.

Simply put by Barber, it was a prime example of “Mike Evans doing Mike Evans things.”

Going further, he then took a look at some more of the veteran wideout’s underappreciated route-running abilities in the Saints’ game from Week 4. There was one battle that he had with cornerback Marshon Lattimore that was entertaining despite it not leading to a brawl. Evans is able to stem his route vertically, and with a sudden burst, he shifts to the corner near the sideline where he is able to use his body control to go up and get it, picking up a first down in the process.

Mike Evans Makes Tough Catches And Can Run By You

Looking back at the Bucs-Eagles game in Week 3, there was not a lot to take away from Tampa Bay’s 25-11 loss, although the game does hold a special place for Bucs’ fans as it was the night that Ronde Barber was honored with his Ring of Excellence in a special halftime ceremony.

Mike Evans did his best to make it a memorable night, hauling in a high throw from Baker Mayfield one-handed and somehow hanging on as he got pushed forward. It was a truly spectacular play. Lastly, Barber dived into his favorite play from Evans last season which came against the Colts in Week 12.

With the Bucs’ offense moving down the field, he runs a skinny post nearing the end zone, and as Mayfield is blitzed, he chucks it up in Evans’ direction. Evans is able to climb up the ladder and haul it in, falling just short of the end zone. When he is in the air, there really is no stopping him and his ability to make contested catches, no matter how tight the coverage is on him.

As Barber summarizes in the film session, Evans has “always been that guy.”

Watch Ronde Barber’s Full Film Session On Mike Evans

To see Ronde Barber’s full film breakdown of Mike Evans check out the nine-minute YouTube video below. It is worth watching to understand Evans’ greatness, but even Barber admitted that nothing can fully encapsulate it.

“He’s probably even better than we give him credit for – but he’s ours, and we’ll take him,” Barber said.